Meghan and Prince Harry's son Archie could go to a 'very good' non-fee-paying school

Archie Mountbatten-Windsor will likely have a very different school experience from his royal ancestors

Meghan and Harry's son Archie could go to 'very good' public school
(Image credit: Getty)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's son, Archie, could attend a non-fee-paying elementary school when he leaves his preschool, according to a royal correspondent. 


Archie Mountbatten-Windsor may be the son of royal millionaires, but that doesn't mean he's guaranteed a prestigious education. 

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's firstborn child, now two, currently attends a preschool in Montecito, California that focuses on sustainability and social inclusivity —two issues close to the philanthropic couple's hearts.

The co-ed facility, which is reportedly situated near Meghan and Harry's £14 million Santa Barbara mansion, also teaches its pupils 'emotional literacy' and 'mindfulness', as well as artistic subjects such as languages, music, theatre, and dance. 

According to a parent of a child at the preschool, the Sussexes don't expect VIP treatment when mixing with the other moms and dads. 

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and their baby son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor meet Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his daughter Thandeka Tutu-Gxashe at the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation during their royal tour of South Africa on September 25, 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa.

(Image credit: Toby Melville - Pool/Getty Images)

"Harry often drops Archie off and picks him up, and seems like a good dad," they told the Mirror. "All the parents have been laid-back in welcoming Harry and Meghan, without making a fuss. And to the other kids, Archie is just one of them." 

With not long to go until the royal toddler is old enough for elementary school, speculation is brewing over where Meghan and Harry would like Archie to continue his studies. 

Prince Harry has openly admitted in the past that he didn't enjoy his own school experience at the elite Eton College in Berkshire, and is likely determined to protect his son from the same turmoil. 

Prince Harry

Prince Harry on his first day of school at Eton College on September 3, 1998 in Eton, Berkshire, England. 

(Image credit: Getty)

According to a former royal correspondent, the couple might even send Archie to a local, non-fee-paying school. 

"The catchment area where they live… is Cold Spring School which seems to be a very, very good public school so I could well see Archie there when he becomes that age," Richard Mineards told the Evening Standard. 

Cold Spring School is a small school in Montecito with a student population of fewer than 200 children and 12 classroom teachers. Like many liberal academic institutions, it has a strong emphasis on creativity, regularly inviting professional artists and musicians to provide lessons to its pupils. Cold Spring also embraces a 'Project Based Learning' philosophy, encouraging students to 'discover answers on their own' rather than be spoonfed knowledge. 

Emma Dooney
Lifestyle News Writer

Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, Emma mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.

Emma holds an MA in International Journalism from City, University of London, and a BA in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin.